Asthma decisions — 2018

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied.,Service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and migraine headaches is granted.

The Board denied service connection for asthma because there is no evidence that the Veteran's asthma manifested during active service or was aggravated by service. The Veteran had a history of asthma prior to and at entry into service, but no diagnosis of asthma in service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and PTSD), pleural effusions, asthma, sleep apnea, pseudobulbar affect, stroke residuals, thyroid tumor, atrial fibrillation, and headaches. The decision also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and TDIU.

Service connection is granted for a psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability (degenerative disc disease), and cardiovascular disorder. Other service connection claims are remanded.

The Veteran's special monthly compensation for aid and attendance was granted effective December 22, 2003. The issue of whether the discontinuance of her special monthly pension based on aid and attendance was proper has been rendered moot due to the grant of a higher benefit.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, erectile dysfunction, tremors, muscle tension headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and depression have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, allergy condition, asthma, lumbar strain and partial discectomy, bilateral hip condition, bilateral knee condition, sleep apnea/sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disability is denied. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is not established as there was no diagnosis of hearing loss sufficient for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disability was denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,Service connection for left hip and right hip disabilities were also denied as there is no evidence of onset during service or relationship to service.,Asthma was not found to be present at any time during the appeal period, thus denial of service connection.,Left wrist and right wrist disabilities were not found to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for various conditions, with some remanded for further examination and development. The initial rating for depression disorder is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, asthma, and hypertension have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability, an initial compensable evaluation for a right ankle disability, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, including asthma and asbestosis, due to inadequate medical opinion regarding in-service exposure. The special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and housebound status are also being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a 10 percent rating prior to September 17, 2007. The initial rating for bronchial asthma with sleep apnea on an extraschedular basis remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,Service connection for Vitamin D deficiency is denied because it is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.,Periodontal disease (gingivitis) is not considered a compensable disability, and the Veteran's claim must be denied.,The Veteran's vertigo is rated as 10 percent disabling based on occasional dizziness. A higher rating of 30 percent is not warranted due to lack of evidence of staggering.,Tinnitus in the left ear is currently assigned a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 6260.,The Veteran's exercise-induced asthma does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating based on his PFT results and medication use.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is rated as noncompensable due to lack of specific diagnostic codes, with GERD being rated by analogy under Diagnostic Code 7399-7346.

The Veteran's asthma and bronchitis are granted service connection, with the asthma being granted due to new evidence showing it existed prior to service and was aggravated therein. The bronchitis is granted as secondary to the already established asthma.

The Veteran's asthma with sarcoidosis is rated at an initial 60 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the September 2014 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, bronchial asthma, and lung disorder other than bronchial asthma due to new evidence received since the last decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left knee disability and asthma are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's asthma and chronic adjustment disorder were both denied, with the asthma rated at noncompensable and the adjustment disorder rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's migraines are now rated at 50% effective from February 1, 2016. Service connection for PTSD is granted. The right ankle disorder and vision problems due to fuel spillage have been remanded. Service connection for folliculitis and asthma remains pending.